@article {117, title = {Nutraceutical Potential of Molokhia (Corchorus olitorius L.): A Versatile Green Leafy Vegetable}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {13}, year = {2021}, month = {April 2021}, pages = {01-12}, type = {Review Article}, chapter = {01}, abstract = {

Molokhia is a nutritious green leafy vegetable consumed in African and Middle Eastern countries as a viscous soup. Although the leaves are used in the traditional medicine and also reported to exhibit a number of pharmacological effects, its utilization is limited to some cultures and does not find wider utilization in the mainstream dietary habits. This review is aimed to present the nutritional and nutraceutical potential of molokhia to promote consumption of this valuable leafy vegetable. An unbiased literature search was conducted using online resources such as Google Scholar and PubMed to collect published reports on various biological/pharmacological activities of molokhia. Chemical structures of bioactive compounds were downloaded from PubChem. The leaves of molokhia are rich sources of Vitamin A (β-carotene), C, E, B1, B2, folic acid and minerals such as iron and calcium in addition to common macromolecules. Among carbohydrates, acidic polysaccharides are of particular interest because of their notable biological effects including antidiabetic and antioxidant. The vegetable is also a good source of a diverse category of phytochemicals including alkaloids, saponins, tannins, terpenes, flavonoids, and phenolics. Different extracts exhibit potent antidiabetic, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, analgesic, and wound healing effects. The extracts have shown to safe even at a dose of 3.2 g/kg body weight in experimental animals. Molokhia is a nutritious leafy vegetable loaded with essential micronutrients and phytochemical that could be handy in promoting general health. Further research is warranted to develop novel food product formulation using molokhia.

}, keywords = {Corchorus olitorius, Green leafy vegetable, Molokhia, Pharmacology, Polysaccharides, Toxicity}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_100_20}, author = {Faiyaz Ahmed} } @article {887, title = {Acetylcholine and Memory-Enhancing Activity of Ficus racemosa Bark}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {3}, year = {2014}, month = {November,2011}, pages = {246-249}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {246}, abstract = {

Background: Alzheimer{\textquoteright}s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder resulting in dementia and enhancement of acetylcholine (Ach) levels in brain using acetylcholinesterase inhibitors is one of the most important approaches for the treatment of AD. Methods: In this study, aqueous extract of Ficus racemosa Linn. (Moraceae) bark having anti-infl ammatory, antioxidant, and anticholinesterase activity was evaluated for its ability to enhance Ach levels, and to ascertain its antidementia activity in rats. This work was carried out under the assumption that the F. racemosa extract may show combination of actions which could be beneficial in the treatment of AD, such as neuroprotection, attributed to antioxidant and anti-infl ammatory property and may elevate levels of Ach like Ficus hispida extract reported earlier. Results: Administration of the extract at two levels viz., 250 and 500 mg/kg signifi cantly raised (P <= 0.05) Ach levels in hippocampi of rats compared to control. The percentage enhancement in Ach levels was found to be 22\% and 38\%, respectively. Further, the extract at both dosage levels elicited signifi cant reduction (P <= 0.05) in transfer latency on elevated plus-maze, which was used as an exteroceptive behavioral model to evaluate memory in rats. Conclusion: It is inferred that it would be worthwhile to explore the potential of F. racemosa in the management of Alzheimer disease.

}, keywords = {Acetylcholine, Alzheimer disease, Memory, Plus-maze, Transfer latency}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.89744}, author = {Faiyaz Ahmed and J. N. Narendra Sharath Chandra and S. Manjunath} } @article {680, title = {Effect of Butea Monosperma Lam. Leaves and Bark Extracts on Blood Glucose in Streptozotocin-induced Severely Diabetic Rats}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {4}, year = {2012}, month = {december,2011}, pages = {33-36}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {33}, abstract = {

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that has significant impact on the health, quality of life and life expectancy, as well as on the health care system. Butea monosperma Lam. Kuntze (Fabaceae), commonly known as palash, is widely used in the treatment of various diseases and disorders including diabetes. Materials and Methods: The present study was planned to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of aqueous extracts of B. monosperma leaves and bark in streptozotocin-induced severely diabetic rats. The animals were divided into four groups, with each consisting of six rats, viz. control, diabetic control, leaf extract-treated and bark extract-treated groups. Treatment was continued for 6 weeks. The biochemical estimations included blood glucose and serum insulin levels. Histopathology of pancreas was also performed. Results: The results indicated that both leaf and bark extracts of B. monosperma produced insignificant antihyperglycemic activity. The leaf and bark extracts reduced blood glucose to an extent of 28\% and 11\%, respectively. It was also evidenced that both leaf and bark extracts did not increase insulin synthesis or secretion and did not improve pancreatic architecture as reflected by the histopathologic studies. Conclusions: The findings of the study emphasize that B. monosperma does not possess significant antidiabetic activity in severe experimental diabetes at the dosage tested.

}, keywords = {Butea monosperma, Diabetes, Insulin, Pancreas, Streptozotocin}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.91032}, author = {Faiyaz Ahmed and NS Siddaraju and M Harish, Asna Urooj and Asna Urooj} } @article {682, title = {Moringa Oleifera Lam.: Protease Activity Against Blood Coagulation Cascade}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {4}, year = {2012}, month = {december,2011}, pages = { 44-49}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = { 44}, abstract = {

Background: The present study evaluated the protease activity of aqueous extracts of Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) leaf (MOL) and root (MOR). Materials and Methods: Protease activity was assayed using casein, human plasma clot and human fibrinogen as substrates. Results: Caseinolytic activity of MOL was significantly higher (P <= 0.05) than that of MOR. Similar observations were found in case of human plasma clot hydrolyzing activity, wherein MOL caused significantly higher (P <= 0.05) plasma clot hydrolysis than MOR. Zymographic techniques were used to detect proteolytic enzymes following electrophoretic separation in gels. Further, both the extracts exhibited significant procoagulant activity as reflected by a significant decrease (P <= 0.05) in recalcification time, accompanied by fibrinogenolytic and fibrinolytic activities; clotting time was decreased from 180 {\textpm} 10 sec to 119 {\textpm} 8 sec and 143 {\textpm} 10 sec by MOL and MOR, respectively, at a concentration of 2.5 mg/mL. Fibrinogenolytic (human fibrinogen) and fibrinolytic activity (human plasma clot) was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), plate method and colorimetric method. Zymographic profile indicated that both the extracts exerted their procoagulant activity by selectively hydrolyzing Aa and Bb subunits of fibrinogen to form fibrin clot, thereby exhibiting fibrinogenolytic activity. However, prolonged incubation resulted in degradation of the formed fibrin clot, suggesting fibrinolytic like activity. Conclusions: These findings support the traditional usage of M. oleifera extracts for wound healing.

}, keywords = {Caseinolytic, Fibrinogenolytic, Fibrinolytic, Moringa oleifera, Procoagulant}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.91034}, author = {A Satish and Sudha Sairam and Faiyaz Ahmed and Asna Urooj} }